Wild hosts and microscopic worlds: Investigating the morphology and surface ultrastructure of Blastocystis sp. in avian and non-human primate species
https://doi.org/10.47665/tb.40.4.003
- Author:
Sanggari, A.
1
;
Attah, A.O.
1
,
2
;
Yahaya, Z.S.
1
;
Farah Haziqah, M.T.
1
Author Information
1. School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang&
2. Department of Science Technology, Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, P. M. B. 1034, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Blastocystis;
morphology;
ultrastructure;
scanning electron microscopy;
wild animals.
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2023;40(No.4):392-399
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Blastocystis is a prevalent infectious agent found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals.
While the morphology of Blastocystis has been extensively studied, there is still a lack of comprehensive
research on its ultrastructure, especially regarding surface characteristics and their correlation with
pathogenic potential. Additionally, the subtyping of Blastocystis does not provide information on the
isolate’s pathogenicity. This study aimed to examine the morphology and the cell surface of Blastocystis
in avian and non-human primates, including peafowl, pheasant, and lion-headed tamarin. By employing
light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), this study provides the first evidence of
the cellular and surface features of Blastocystis in these animal species. Our findings revealed distinct
variations in cell size, shape, and surface morphology among the different host species. Notably, the
isolates from peafowl exhibited larger cell sizes compared to the isolates from the pheasant. However,
interestingly, both animal species were found to exhibit the same Blastocystis ST6. It was also observed
that the surface structure of Blastocystis from different hosts displayed a diverse range of patterns,
including mesh-like appearances, deep indentations, and attachments to bacteria. Additionally,
findings also revealed the presence of a rough surface structure in peafowl, a characteristic that has
been previously linked to pathogenicity and symptomatic infection in animals, as indicated by earlier
studies. The findings contribute to our understanding of the morphological features and the surface
characteristic of Blastocystis in different host species, shedding light on the parasite’s adaptations and
potential implications for host health.
- Full text:8.2023my1434.pdf
